Gunter learning to like Russian

Disappointment was etched across the faces of the Wales players as they returned to Cardiff airport yesterday, yet for Chris Gunter and Gareth Bale it was not only their side's impressive second-half display in Russia that helped ease the pain of defeat. While most of John Toshack's squad will be glad to see the back of Roman Pavlyuchenko, his new Tottenham team-mates cannot wait to be reacquainted with the striker after his performance in Moscow.

The 26-year-old, who is expected to train with Spurs for the first time today since completing a £13.8m move from Spartak Moscow late last month, troubled Wales in the first half with his movement, aerial threat and eye for goal. It was a contribution that left a lasting impression on Gunter, who does not envisage Pavlyuchenko will have any problems adapting to life at White Hart Lane.

"I was impressed," said the 19-year-old defender. "He did a lot of unselfish work off the ball that you appreciated when you were playing against him. Hopefully he'll do that week-in and week-out for us. He won a lot in the air, he obviously scored as well [from the penalty spot] and he looks a really good player. I'll be pleased to see him when we go back, and hopefully he can carry on scoring for Tottenham."

The Russian's first task could be to educate Bale in the art of penalty taking, after the Welshman saw his kick saved seven minutes before Pavlyuchenko scored at the other end. "Gareth did well to win it and he had the bottle to step up and take it," Gunter added. "It's unfortunate to miss two in two games [Jason Koumas saw his effort saved against Azerbaijan on Saturday] but, if we keep playing as we did in the second half, we'll be all right."